Blu Moon Takes The Early Magic Marine Melges 24 European Championship 2013 Lead

Medemblik, Netherlands - 18 August 2013 - The Magic Marine Melges 24 European Championship, organised by the Royal Yacht Club Hollandia in collaboration with the International Melges 24 Class Association, started today under the sign of the Blu Moon (today 9-2-1). In Medemblik, where, as predicted by the forecast, the wind was blowing from the west-northwest throughout the day at between 15 and 19 knots, the crew of the former Melges 24 World Champion Flavio Favini, with tactician Gabriele Benussi, was among the few to close the day without ever leaving the top ten and found itself leading the overall ranking with a one point margin over Italian Champions Giogi (4-1-8), who appeared competitive and fully in phase with the oscillations of the breeze.

Driven by Matteo Balestrero with Nicola Celon as tactician, Giogi leads Riccardo Simoneschi's Audi Ultra (4-1-15), winner of the first race, by seven points. Simonesch, the leader of the Audi Melges 24 European Sailing Series is third, level on points with Estonia's Lenny (6-9-5), favoured to win the Corinthian title thanks to the experience of helmsman Tonu Toniste, who has twice graced the Olympic podium of the 470 class in the early eighties.

Three points being Audi Ultra and Lenny sits Dutchman John Den Engelsman's Mr. Henri (8-4-11), trailed by three times Corinthian World Champion Peder Jahre, who is now sailing among professional sailors with his Storm Capital Sail Racing (7-17-2).

The Magic Marine Melges 24 European Championship will resume tomorrow morning with the first warning signal scheduled for 10.30 am. The hope is to complete another three races: the day promises to be characterised by weather conditions which, especially during the afternoon, should be perfect fought competitive racing. From Tuesday, the wind is expected to drop significantly and become shifty.

Before they return to the race course again, the crews will spend the evening at the Bar Brakeboer, which very famous among passionate sailors who are accustomed to attend Medemblik International Sailing Center. The opportunity to spend some time together will be the Melges 24 Rocks Party celebrating 20 amazing years, sponsored by Melges Europe to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the launch of the first Melges 24.